Get the Most Bang for Your Buck

As part of the Masterbilt line, the Epiphone DR-500MCE acoustic/electric guitar has high expectations to meet. Epiphone has ensured this modern Masterbilt incarnation is up to par with the company's legacy by constructing it of all solid wood and incorporating modern advancements into the historic design.

A Solid Foundation

The biggest contributor to the DR-500MCE's deep lows and balanced mids is its all-solid wood construction. Solid wood guitars are known to get better with age, and the DR-500MCE is built to last. Like the Masterbilt guitars before it, the DR-500MCE features a solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The guitar's dreadnought shape further reinforces the guitar's deep bass and pronounced mids.

Dressed in the Vintage Look

The offset headstock design on the DR-500MCE echoes Epiphone guitars from the 1930s, as do the "split diamond" mother-of-pearl inlays along the rosewood fretboard. Other relics from that era alive in this model include the dovetail neck joint and use of hide glue in construction. One tweak from the vintage models is the swooping cutaway which allows for better high-fret access.

Innovative Shadow NanoMag and NanoFlex Pickups

Magnifying the DR-500MCE's tone are two pickups: a Shadow NanoFlex under the bone saddle, and a Shadow NanoMag at the bottom of the fingerboard. The NanoFlex is a low-impendance pickup which gets its name from its flexible sensing material able to pick up vibrations along the guitar's top and body. The NanoMag utilizes Samarian-Cobalt magnets for capturing a wide range of harmonics.

Versatile Preamp for Playing Live

Plug in the DR-500MCE and the guitar's palette of electric features instantly becomes apparent. The eSonic2 preamp offers a built-in tuner that mutes the guitar's output when engaged -- a handy perk for avoiding popping noises when plugging in or unplugging. The preamp also features master volume, a tone control for each pickup, a stereo blend switch, phase switch, and low battery indicator. The preamp is powered with two 2032 lithium batteries, which are lighter and longer lasting than 9V batteries.

If you have additional warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer at 800-4GIBSON

Product Description

When it comes to acoustic guitar tone and quality, nothing performs like an all-solid wood instrument. Harking back to the 1930's and Epiphone's heritage as masters of acoustic guitar design, the Epiphone Masterbilt Collection combines traditional construction methods and historic features with premium all solid tone woods to bring you a "vintage" instrument with deep rich lows, shimmering highs and a balanced mid-range. While many other guitars in this price class use pressed backs, spliced neck joints and even artificial wood backs and sides, you can be assured that every Masterbilt holds true to it's all solid wood promise.

Vintage Construction, Historic Sound

As with all Masterbilts, the DR-500MCE features a solid Sitka Spruce top, hand-scalloped Sitka Spruce braces, and mahogany kerfing along with a rosewood bridge. One of the great attributes of a Sitka Spruce top is that it gets better with age -- and playing time! The DR-500MCE's historic dreadnought shape with a spectacular cutaway also contributes to its great tone by providing the classic booming bass and mid-range projection that has made the dreadnought style a favorite of rock, country, bluegrass, and folk musicians.

The DR-500MCE also has a solid mahogany back and sides, which adds to the guitar's legendary tone as well as a hand-shaped solid mahogany neck. The 25.5" scale mahogany neck joins the body at the 14th fret and is adorned with carefully cut "split-diamond" pearl fretboard inlays. The historic "off-set" headstock has a "stickpin" headstock inlay along with a 1.68" bone nut. Players looking for vintage tone and vibe will appreciate the handcrafted dovetail neck joint and hide-glue construction as seen in all classic '30s era acoustic guitars. One of the outstanding features of the DR-500MCE that wasn't seen in the original Masterbilts is its superbly shaped cutaway allowing for easy reach of all the frets.

Superior Technology You've Been Waiting For

While the DR-500MCE sounds great "unplugged," it really comes alive when plugged-in, thanks to the eSonic2(tm) preamp system. Made in cooperation with Shadow Germany, the eSonic2 preamp features a built-in, easy-to-use tuner. When engaged, the guitar's output is automatically muted with no "popping" noise, making it a perfect choice for stage use. You can even push in the "tuner" button and unplug the guitar without a loud "pop." Other controls on this state-of-the-art preamp include Master Volume, NanoFlex Tone, NanoMag Tone, stereo blend, low battery indicator and a phase switch to help eliminate unwanted feedback.

The preamp uses two 2032 lithium watch batteries that are not only lightweight, but provide significantly longer life than old-fashioned, heavy 9V batteries.

Revolutionary Stereo Pickups

Under the saddle is Shadow's proprietary NanoFlex, low-impedance pickup. Not a harsh piezo like you'd find on budget models, the NanoFlex uses unique flexible sensing material featuring integrated active electronics that not only can pick up string vibrations but also top and body vibrations as well for a truly acoustic tone not possible with piezo pickups.

Complimenting the NanoFlex is the revolutionary NanoMag pickup mounted at the end of the fingerboard. Exclusively from Shadow, the NanoMag features 3 Samarian-Cobalt magnets and an integrated active circuit to capture all the highs and lows, including a wide range of harmonics. With your choice of either 1/4" mono output blending both pickups or 1/4" stereo output splitting the two pickups, you have incredible flexibility and opportunities to create the perfect acoustic tone live.

Epiphone Quality All the Way

The Masterbilt Story

First released in June 1931, the original Epiphone Masterbilts made a big impression on musicians from all styles of music and the Masterbilts have done the same. The original Epiphone Masterbilt catalog made the promise: "The possessor of an Epiphone instrument has the assurance that every possible precaution has been taken to build instruments for lifetime performance and pleasure." And they still make that promise!

Like all Masterbilts, DR-500MCE comes with Epiphone's Limited Lifetime Warranty and Shadow's 5-year warranty (electronics) and is backed by world famous 24/7/365 Gibson Customer Service.

zZounds Expert Review

I've had the pleasure of checking out a number of great acoustics here at zZounds, and I am kicking myself for not picking up one of these sooner. Every once in a while, a real gem pops up -- and you may be surprised to hear me say that it is one of Epiphone's imports. Having played the full line of Epi acoustics, and a number of similarly priced acoustics, I can attest to the build quality and tone that is standard for these guitars. They aren't fooling around with the name "Masterbilt" -- these are Epiphone's cream-of-the-crop acoustic line, and it only starts at the slick cosmetic appointments. The Masterbilt DR-500MCE is a solid wood guitar with amazing low-end resonance and sustain that doesn't get choked out by my harder playing. The soft touch fingerpickers out there will immediately notice the even balance between the mids and articulate highs, but this one stands out to me as a great strummer -- or in my case, something to really bang on. If your bread and butter comes from playing a real beauty from way back when, you should check out this workhorse. It's a great option for someone that doesn't want to gig every night with their collector's item, and refuses to compromise on tone. This Masterbilt stands out -- better yet, jumps out at you -- and will have you wondering why this one isn't in your arsenal yet.

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"Amazing Guitar"

Sound:
sounds great. It will only get better as the soundboard gets 'broken in'. The electrics in this work well. I have 2 small SS amps, that I run in a wet/dry combo. Using both outs in this guitar allows for an amazing full sound.
Feature:
The woods in this guitar are quite beautiful. Gloss finish on the body bring out the brains nicely. Satin neck finish is oh so wonderful to play.
Ease of Use:
Out of the box, its playable. But like almost all new guitars in any reasonable price range, it did require a good setup to now be a stand out guitar.
Quality:
Fit and finish is exceptional. I bought the Natural and it has a beautiful amber top. The RW fret board is nice and smooth. Frets did need some minor polishing, but that is to be expected with almost any new guitar to some extent. This is my first Plek fret job. Well done.
Value:
This guitar is crazy in value. Ive spent a lot of quality playing time on various guitars selling for far more than this and always came away with a smug grin on my mug, knowing what a player the Masterbilt is by comparison.
Manufacturer Support:
Not had to use it for this guitar. Ive dealt with Epiphone in the past. Im happy with their service.
The Wow Factor:
Again, its good out of the box, and there is a real WOW to this guitar once it receives a proper set up. And as I already mentioned, try out one of these and try out as many other much higher priced acoustics and make your own informed decision. 9 chances out of 10, you will happily end up with the Masterbilt.
Overall:
I admit to being another player who took a chance on this guitar. And am so glad that I did. No one locally had the Masterbilt in stock, so ordering with my fingers crossed was my only option. As usual Zzounds shipped this ASAP and I had it delivered for free, the very next day. Not bad considering their warehouse is over 400 miles away. This is my 4th guitar purchased from Zzounds and wont be my last.
Out of the box, I went over the Epi Masterbilt for a few minutes looking to make sure it survived the trip. It did. I popped in the batteries and tuned to pitch and gave it a strum. Whoa, this is nice. It rang out and has nice articulation and resonance.
Now knowing that almost all new guitars need some setup out of the box, I played it for a bit to see what I needed to do with it. Frets need polishing. this is my 3rd Epiphone guitar(having 2 electrics) and all of them needed polishing out of the box. Only needed 5 minutes and they were perfect. The fret job from the factory was very nice. From there it was quite noticeable that the bone bridge saddle was really quite tall and the ends were sharp as that could be. I prefer this so I can set up my guitar to my liking rather than having no were to adjust to if it wasn't right out of the box. Ive done my own set ups and repairs for over 30 years, and expected to need some work as even guitars worth many thousands of dollars aren't always right either. Just something that may be expected. Also as shipped the neck had zero relief. Not a big deal. So after filing the bridge height down almost an 1/8", radius the corners and setting up the neck, this guitar became a lifelong keeper for me.
I wasn't expecting the satin finish neck. It plays like 'buttah'. Honestly, it does. I own a custom made raw indian rosewood neck that's on one of my Tele's and it plays amazing. That neck cost me more than the Masterbilt did. And I would easily say the Masterbilt is just as wonderful to play. Not only so smoooooth, but shaped right and is comfortable to play for hours on end.
When shopping for a new acoustic, I played at least a couple dozen guitars ranging in price from $300 to as high as $3000. But keeping my more realistic budget at no more than $1000. Since my purchase, Ive been back to the local shops a couple times and played many more in the $1500/3000 dollar range, wondering if Im missing out on anything? Im not. I always come back with a big smile and a ton more money in my wallet for other things.
So if your looking to have a high end acoustic, get this Epiphone Masterbilt. For the price and the money you will save spending at least double for an American made guitar, you will have one that once set up, will easily play as well if not better IMHO and still have a load of cash left over for a nice hard case, acoustic amp, a decent strap and many extra sets of strings and still be far ahead of the game.

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"Seriously Amazing"

Overall:
Not only is this guitar beautiful both in looks and in sound, the electronics are unbeatable and its totally affordable! What an amazing guitar! If you are looking for something with a beautiful warm tone, singing highs and an amazing feel to kill for, you found it, stop your search because i love this guitar and you will too

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What Our Customers Are Saying About zZounds "I have ordered from zZounds for several years and the service is always great! Any problems are few and far between and always taken care of instantly!" - Customer on January 8, 2015

A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.

A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.

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